Positive Opportunities for Parents

Positive Opportunities for Parents (POP) project has been funded by the LDA to test an innovative, co-ordinated approach to help parents in the London City Strategy Pathfinder areas to undertake vocational training and progress into employment. The POP Project is operating in the West boroughs of Harrow, Hillingdon, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow and the East boroughs of Greenwich, Waltham Forest, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham.

The project draws on existing provision for childcare funding through the Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP). Advisers assist parents to access the Transition to Employment funding delivered as part of CAP Phase 2, enabling parents to access free childcare when training and when first in employment.

The POP Project involves the funding of eight adviser posts, of which 2 are part-time, across the East and West London boroughs to provide one-to-one employment and childcare advice to parents seeking training or work. The Advisers work with parents in their boroughs to:

  • Provide intensive one-to-one support to parents seeking vocational training, voluntary work or employment.
  • Assist parents through every stage of the process to move into work or training and to complete an application form for CAP Phase 2 funding for childcare.
  • Offer a confidence building workshop in Children's Centres and outreach locations (the Take Three Days Workshop) which aims to help parents to identify the next best step for them: work, training, volunteering and provides practical help with CVs, application forms and interview techniques and preparation.
  • Provide benefits advice and in-work benefit calculations.
  • Complement existing provision and services and act as a referral source for and to partner agencies (within the existing West London Working and London East City Strategy Pathfinder Consortium).

For more information, or for contact details of the Adviser in your area, please contact Carla Jacobs on 020 7940 1544 or carla.j@gle.co.uk

Positive Opportunities for Parents Information Leaflet

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